Fenton's Kenny Allen not complaining about his position on Michigan's football team

Fenton native Kenny Allen is listed second on the University of Michigan punting depth chart.Courtesy photo | University of Michigan Athletic Department

FLINT, MI – Fenton native Kenny Allen is a Michigan man and he is
all about doing what is best for the Maize and Blue, so he's not complaining about when he does or doesn't play football.

The redshirt freshman punter is listed second
on the Wolverines' depth chart behind junior Matt Wile.

"Everything from the campus to football, the
whole (Michigan) experience has been awesome," Allen said. "I don't know how to
describe it."

At some point, hopefully in the near future,
Allen would like to be a regular in the Wolverines' lineup. For right now, he
is doing everything he can in practice to catch the eyes of Michigan coaching
staff.

"I can punt, I've been working on holding, I've
been doing kickoffs during practice," Allen said. "(Versatility) gives me
options and It helps our team more. If I keep performing well, good things
might be able to happen."

Allen was a standout punter/kicker at Fenton
from 2009-11, converting 9-of-12 field-goal attempts, with a long of 45 yards,
and 39 extra points. He punted 45 times, for an average of 39.6 yards per punt,
with 17 being placed inside the 20-yard line.

As a senior, he landed a spot on the Associated
Press Division 1-2 All-State first team, and he was ranked nationally as the
No. 2 punter and the No. 13 kicker by Rivals.com.

While he had several scholarship offers, not to
mention a personal workout with Alabama head coach Nick Saban, his heart ended
up the deciding factor, opting instead to come to Michigan as a preferred
walk-on.

When he arrived in Ann Arbor, he was redshirted
for the 2012 season. While he was not used to just watching games, Allen knew
it was all part of the learning process.

"I knew coming in I would most likely be
redshirted and I prepared myself," Allen said. "I knew I was getting prepared
and learning from people who were here. It's good to get other people's
perspectives and I've used them to mold me into the (kicker/punter) I am
today."

Originally, he was No. 3 on the Wolverines'
punting depth chart behind Wile and reigning All-Big Ten Conference punter, Will Hagerup. Allen was bumped up
to the No. 2 spot when Hagerup was suspended for the 2013 season because of
athletic department policy.

Hagerup's departure created a battle between
Allen and Wile during spring ball for the team's starting job, a position
eventually secured by Wile.

"(Hagerup's loss) gave me a boost to go out
there every day and perform and to do my best," Allen said. "Matt and I push
each other. I keep him on his toes and he keeps me on my toes."

Not even Allen knows when or if he will see any
game action this fall. Hagerup is expected to return to the Wolverines' camp in
2014, creating a three-horse race for the squad's starting position.

"I know that when (Will Hagerup) comes back it
will be Will, Matt and I competing," Allen said. "It will be great competition,
and it will give me an opportunity to work hard. Hopefully, I will make the
best of my situation."